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narramissic writes "The 'dead simple and dirt cheap' touchscreen Web tablet that Michael Arrington of TechCrunch set out to build last July seems to be nearing completion, writes blogger Peter Smith. 'The CrunchPad is a Linux-based touchscreen tablet using a browser-based UI. When you turn the unit on, it boots right into the webkit-based browser. There's a pop-up virtual keyboard for entering URLs and such (you wouldn't want to do any significant typing on it) and scrolling is via swiping the screen. When Arrington first visualized the project he was shooting for a $200 price point, then discovered that a $299 price was more realistic.'"

In fact, there should be a "web client". The idea is to remain in a browser at all times (except for skype). But what techcrunch screwed up royally here is that they did not use android. That would have given them the latest codebase from a megacorp to have what? A nice screen keyboard (I know it's an oxymoron, jokers), 3g, and other important stuff... such as the browser. Job would have been much easier with Android. It might also have much more perceived safety in the long run.

Not going with Android was a genuine idiot move. The Android user base is growing so aggressively it's turning Windows Mobile phones into Android phones. That's right, it's not just growing market share, it's stealing it. (I just hope this comes to my HTC Fuze one day; it is already on a related phone.)

Until someone actually comes up with something better than Android, supporting it is probably the best way to go by far.

I don't know, the design goals seem to be very different from Android. For this, they need an extremely thin OS that will provide an interface to display, input, and network. On top of that, there is a single application, a web browser. Reducing the number of APIs, size of the kernel, and background processes are all things that make a lot of sense for this type of project.

Using Android would have been easier, and it would have provided a lot other applications, but that would have been orthogonal to the

Earlier prototypes used an Atom CPU, I doubt that's changed. And the connectivity is some sort of wifi, presumably g, maybe n.

It looks like a neat device, and I'm definitely interested in the cheap lightweight tablet form factor and market niche. But when I think about purchasing it I can't help comparing it in my head to the super-sized iPod tablet Apple is rumored to be working on.The crunchpad's 12" screen is nice compared to the 8-10" expected from apple, but the atom and big screen are going to make for really crappy battery life compared to an ARM based 8-10" solution, and the Apple version will be able to do more than just web surf (a version of the iPhone SDK and app store seems inevitable). However, while the crunchpad may have missed it's $200 price target in favor of $300, the rumors of Apple's $600+ price point were never in that league to begin with.

ARM9 @ 600mHZ, 512MB Ram, Linux 2.6. Wifi connectivity (B, G, and N). X is used for the display, so it should be about 5 minutes before you can use this as a remote X client. 10 minutes and it will be replacing $2000 wacom tablets.

Specs were more of a point of interest - wondered if it was an ARM processor as they are good for power consumption and battery life. I mean, does it even have a battery or does it need to be plugged in all the time?

I looked at another of the prototype pages and it was using an Atom chip. I guess that's not bad for power consumption and processing power.

Also yes, my immediate thoughts were "I wonder if I could get that to run debian?". You can't blame me for that surely?

Have a look at here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CrunchPad [wikipedia.org].It's supposedly running an ubuntu variant, so debian should be fine. In the recent video of it the narrator apologised for the loading times claiming that they were "on a 3G connection".

Forget Debian. The only other thing this is better for than anything else besides being a webtablet is PS and Gimp. As soon as one or both are possible, I'm there.

Wrong. You can get a 13" MacBook/Wacom tablet combo which is the best thing for PS and Gimp (given the small display anyway.) Runs about any OS you'd want to throw at it. Of course, that has a price tag about six times this thing...

I should have specified. I like to work on my graphics projects as the last, relaxing thing of the day. I don't as much of it anymore because it keeps me stuck in the office (home). Much better if I could relax in bed doing this while wifey watches tv/reads.

People who don't need tech support? All three of them? Wow, what a market! Even if you're tech savvy, are you really going to buy a product that likely has no support avenues if you get a broken one? Are you really going to be happy fixing that new device you paid for yourself?

Just buy a Nokia N8x0. I am willing to bet you can pick up an n800 for well under $200. The N810 is a bit more but has a slideout qwerty keypad. Its a nice web browser, or portable video screen with great battery life.

Lets stop reinventing the wheel and use what hardware and software is already out there!

the nokia n8xx are pretty cheap now. they make a very nice ultra portable, good for web browsing, email, IM, watching movies, music, etc. with the 810 model or a bluetooth keyboard they are usable for terminal sessions and a litle bit of work.

The thing about the Nokia is, it only has a 800x480 resolution (I believe - correct me if I'm wrong). That's fine for some purposes, but if I'm reading a lengthy document, or trying to look at a large detailed image* I find that 800x480 is a low enough resolution to be irritating. That's what's put me off getting one.

This device looks like it has a 12" screen with a 1280x800 resolution (might be a bit less, I'm just estimating), so it has the potential to be more appropriate for some kinds of usage. Depen

you are correct about the resolution. due to the n800s small size, this makes it a very high dpi screen. things look great, and text is very easy to read, but you are also right that the size is just too small for extended reading or viewing. the n800 is a compromise, if you need something very small (fit in pocket.. well some pockets) then its one of your best options at the moment, but if you can handle a larger device then probably you would want something else.

I want this tablet thing as a portable (around the house) media player. It's big enough for two people (myself and my wife) to watch comfortably, has pretty high resolution, and wireless connectivity.

Select your movie from the file server via VLC's web interface, fire up VLC, connect to the stream, set it up on its stand, and enjoy a movie in any room that doesn't already have a screen. We use our laptops for this kind of thing now, but a tablet would be much, much better.

"Just buy a Nokia N8x0. I am willing to bet you can pick up an n800 for well under $200. "

You're comparing apples with oranges? The Nokia N8x0 has a 4.1" screen [amazon.com]. It's in a different class than a web tablet with a 12" LCD. The Nokia's competition is the similarly priced Apple Touch.

A netbook may be more capable, but I have a 10" ViewSonic Airpanel and believe me a netbook is very uncomfortable to use laying down on your back. Also too I find the web almost unusable on a widescreen format screen.

*Anything* is uncomfortable to use when laying on your back. Hell, most people's arms get tired of holding up a paperback in about 30 seconds. The unfortunate issue with the touchpad device is that it appears that the only comfortable position to use it in, is the one featured on the product page [techcrunch.com].

One use I'd deploy right now is a scheduling kiosk for our fleet. We have a fleet of vehicles and we use pen and paper to schedule their use. I'd love to install one of these next to the key box and have a networked scheduling web app running on it. That way if you're at the key box you can schedule or you could do it from your workstation. Or I could put one next to a common space phone and set it to browse our intranet. Or use it as a wall mounted closed circuit tv monitor. All kinds of uses...

those things can be done with a variety of existing devices, devices that have been available for years and with broad support from established companies. in fact, many companies already do what you're talking about with the vehicle scheduling. they also do timeclocks, security camera monitoring etc. all with existing devices.

I don't see what is compelling or really even interesting about this product. A netbook for the same money is a far more capable device.

Exactly my thoughts too. It would be different if this device was filling a specific niche (i.e. Kindle e-reader), and had very little market share to compete with, but at THAT price, it's damn near competing with every other portable hardware device that has a browser and a keyboard.

And the "we'll build the hardware and offer specialized customized apps and a developer kit" idea is pretty much a dead end with the popularity of the Apple store. And once they release an iPod touch in a netbook form factor.

A touch screen tablet is interesting , a clam shell design able to be used either in touch screen mode or regular clamshell would be even better. I don't like the idea of touch screen only due to the damage it would get just being carried round.

I'm just looking for a better netbook really, a bigger screen isnt an improvement but increased versatility is.

Don't get me wrong: I love the simplicity of the idea. However, if for $300 I am only able to surf the web, I would go for a netbook instead. Sure, netbooks lack the style and aesthetic appeal of a big touchscreen, but you have a real keyboard, a real OS, and you can use it for many different tasks (as much as you can with a tiny screen and keyboard anyway).

I'm glad to see I'm not alone in this. I have a very clear perception of the prices these small devices would be worth to me and I think they're all still about a $100 overpriced at the moment.

I would pay up to $100 (preferrably less) for a device that's strictly an ebook reader: up to 500g weight (a bit over 1 pound), 6+ hours of running battery life (AA or ability to plug directly into mains), 6-10in screen (grayscale LCD is fine too, I'm not fussy), SD card slot, ability to choose from several fonts and

After reading some of this story this device sounds like a large Ipod Touch without all the fancy Apple applications. I agree with the previous poster that a netbook would make a far better choice for this price. When they make a netbook around 190 bucks that is versatile enough I may get one. With most projects he wanted to keep the cost down but that is easier said then done.

Wow, I am hoping to see this sometime soon as my 10" ViewSonic AirPanel [viewsonic.com] SmartDisplay [wikipedia.org] is getting a little long in the tooth. Still running 902.11B standard! It's slow with today's web but it is the most convenient item in my stable to browse the web away from my office-chair. I can watch TV, read/mod posts on slashdot -or- news on the web -or- read books & tweak my network from the comfort of my couch.

Yeah, it runs Windows CE but everything isn't perfect. Still it's very light, doesn't need a stylus to click on a link or button (though has one). The only way it could be the browser tool even better would be an external Home, Forward and Back buttons in a convenient place on the frame somewhere.

I recently got a Dell Mini10 as a present and a netbook will never replace a small tablet for the way I use the airpanel.

The second link from the slashdot summary, describing the current product, is extremely short, and is essentially the same text as the slashdot summary. A longer and better article is here [techcrunch.com]. This [techcrunch.com] page has technical specs: 12-inch touchscreen (1024x768 4:3), via nano, 1 GB ram, 4 GB flash, wifi, accelerometer, camera, 3 lb, currently running ubuntu.

Sorry, but $300 is not "dirt cheap," IMO. Zareason.com or system76.com will routinely sell you a full-featured desktop system for $300. WalMart and Sears have sold desktop machines like the Everex gPC as cheap as $200. Target has had the eeePC for $280. This is not even something you'd want to use as a full-function computer, so I'd say $300 is actually pretty expensive. Of course some people may be willing to pay for style or convenience. But as far as convenience, I'm not convinced I'd want something portable like this that didn't have a lid to protect the screen.

"Dirt cheap" is going to be ARM-based computers retailing for $50-100, which we'll probably have within a few years.

I'm sorry that you're not the target market. (Actually, I'm not either; I own 3 desktops:P ) Just be aware that although you don't find it useful or affordable, that doesn't discount the market entirely.

I mean, people pay $200 for a Chumby, and $240 for a PSP with $60 worth of hardware in it. This thing probably has $250 worth of hardware. It really is very affordable, if you require a touchscre

I just checked out the newest presentation video of this thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP-0Nce5oTQ , and it is quite an interesting product.Of course the application as a browser only thing is a bit too little.

For the folks who asked what the underlying OS is: Linux + webkitSpecs: no idea, not much.

Now what would be really great: a sane interface API for this thing and the possibility to write apps for it + wlan + bluetooth. Then it would be quite a viable niche product (for cool people only) who fo

The first thing I thought when I read about this is that it would make an excellent home remote. There are some far less interesting remotes that cost more out there than this. Of course, it'd need an IR port, or you would need a server with an IR blaster. But if there were a way to use it, it would be pretty cool.

Dude, I meant cool. I know it is easy to write some web app to do this, but it is not as cool. First I do not get the fidelity (can't access internal display controls, play with them, do some magic, etc.). Second: writing a UI in (X)HTML + (python|perl|whatever) is not cool either (for this kind of device, on a PC yes, but not here).Hmm, then again, I was in my dreaming session it seems again, as I was mesmerising about cool + practical as opposed to practical only. Think I did not emphase that enough.

As long as you brought up being legally blind, I wonder if you have tried the various flavors of text to speech and speech to text, etc? Asking because I think a vocal user interface that worked *well* would be very nice for some people. Example, being a boomer myself, I am aware that in our aging population arthritis in the fingers is a reality, and most devices today (because rapid innovation is geared way more towards the youth market, despite the aging population being larger and having a lot more dispo

Bingo. Exactly why I want one. Traditional tablets are too expensive, and trying too hard to be laptops, IMO. This thing's like a giant iPhone to carry around your house/office to provide a decent-sized display and light interface any place you damn well please.

If the CrunchPad can build services and have the hardware cost subsidized (like cell phones) then the price could be reduced or even possible free.
- Mobile phone companies can offer it with built in 3G
- Partner with E-Schoolbook, E-Magazine, E-Newspaper companies - Google may be interested now that they have thrown their hat into the E-Book arena
- Look at Hospitals, Schools, Government agencies to use this for data entry - imagine going to a doctors appointment and being handed the CrunchPad to update medical records, views records, check on prescriptions all while waiting for the appointment. With the push to modernize records to reduce costs this device could take advantage of web apps to streamline processes.
- Newspapers are in a crunch to find new ways to profit. This device can be linked into a subscription with advertising being dynamically assigned by content.
Just a few possible ways to reduce the hardware cost while still building a profit model.

"When Arrington first visualized the project he was shooting for a $200 price point, then discovered that a $299 price was more realistic"

Why do so many people make this same mistake? I think it is hubris - the idea that "I'm smarter than everyone else in the industry, and I have ideas that none of them do". One of the worst PR moves is to drastically raise your estimated price, in this case by 50%. And in the end, the promised price point of 200 dollars was necessary; for 300 dollars, I can get a fully-featured netbook or iPod touch.

I think it is hubris - the idea that "I'm smarter than everyone else in the industry, and I have ideas that none of them do".

Wow. Hubris? Really?

There is a long [linux.org] history [hp.com] of people [wikipedia.org] doing stuff they personally find cool and interesting and succeeding wildly at it. Sure there are also a lot of failures, but you cannot succeed without taking risks, and it is pretty pathetic to see that your lame attitude is so prevalent these days.

This web tablet may fail terribly, or it might succeed wildly, but thank Dog th

And in the end, the promised price point of 200 dollars was necessary; for 300 dollars, I can get a fully-featured netbook or iPod touch.

Can you get a 12" / 30cm touch screen for that price? I've tried and been unsuccessful, Â£300 is the price in the UK, that's not a portable device that's just the screen.

Granted this probably means $300 for a touchscreen in the US, but getting a wifi / 3g enabled portable net device with a touchscreen for that price seems pretty awesome to me. If they were available in the UK for $300 I'd have one now and use it as a POS terminal and / or demoing websites to clients.

Let's see, I have a $300 Kindle for e-books, a $300 CrunchPad for Web pages...

This may come as a suprise to you but you can read books via the www.

You can also do photoshop, do banking, listen to music, make phone calls, read your email, watch videos, watch TV... in fact just about anything you'd need a screen for. Crunchpad has a USB input too so you can use it to power your mobile rocket launcher. Not enough on board power? Just use it as a slim client using VNC over 'net.

Wow that came across a bit like marketing spiel, I swear I have not connections with the crunchpad, it's got my inner gadgeteer really excited though:

I've never seen a netbook with a 12" touchscreen.

12" is laptop territory. I've never seen a laptop with a touchscreen.

So we're talking tablets from about $700 USD (a lot more for thin form factor). If all I need it for is to access a webpage and I can do that and save $400 USD I don't see that as being a flat argument (especially as dollar costs are usually th

12" is pretty borderline. But in any case, they were making laptops with touchscreens 8 years ago. And many since. Quite a number, in fact, were made so that you could turn the screen around and fold it down over the keyboard to make it into a tablet PC. How could you possibly have missed them all?

12" is pretty borderline. But in any case, they were making laptops with touchscreens 8 years ago. And many since. Quite a number, in fact, were made so that you could turn the screen around and fold it down over the keyboard to make it into a tablet PC. How could you possibly have missed them all?

The ones that flip-rotate I grouped under tablet PC. I genuinely have never seen a laptop with a touchscreen advertised or in real life. Perhaps they were high ticket, which I have to dismiss as I don't have much money.

Still where are the tablet PCs for $300, I'll get one... a link (eg amazon, affiliate if you like) would be lovely, thanks.

Prototype C is the actual model they're using for demos, but you're right, that 'near-final industrial design' does appear to have a higher res. 1680x1050 at a guess which would fit with your estimates as well.

Getting a screen of that resolution on something like this isn't outside the realms of probability. But if they can do that within a $300 price range, that'd be impressive. I'd certainly

You seem to have never used any recent small-screen device's (Android, Opera Mobile, iPhone) browser. Web sites will generally be rendered like they would using an average desktop resolution, then scaled down to fit the smaller screen. Zooming in/out will zoom in on any part of the page, treating it like a picture. See this [youtube.com] for a demo.